At a pre-trial review on Tuesday, the prosecution applied to add three more charges. Two of which were for Ng – chair of the League of Social Democrats – and one was for Lam.

Photo: League of Social Democrats.

In addition to the incitement of public disorder charges, the prosecution asked to add two alternative charges of incitement of unlawful assembly for Ng and one for Lam.

The prosecution had applied to change the description of charges against Ng, which were scheduled to be heard on Tuesday. However, it was retracted so that the new alternative charges could be applied.

Ng’s lawyer opposed the additional charges as it was an “abuse of procedures” to continuously modify them, he said. Ng said the move caused the accused to be uncertain of what he was being charged with, and led the defence to lose trust in the prosecution.

Ng claimed on social media that the government was not truthful in its goal of mending rifts in society: “A world class Department of Justice – even though it is so busy dealing with illegal structures, it still makes effort to deal additional charges to me – it is determined to convict me,” he said.

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